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1961 Corvette

1961 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

The first generation of the Chevy Corvette is known as the C1 and was built
from 1953 to 1962.

The 1961 Corvette got a redesigned 'ducktail" rear end which was flatter than
the previous design. For the first time, the Corvette got four round tail lights.
It would become a Corvette trademark. The exhaust pipes no longer exited through
the rear bumpers, and came out under the car in a more traditional manner.

Up front, there were also a number of changes. The front grill had a finer mesh
pattern, the headlight bezels were now body colored instead of being chrome, and
the front emblem was a smaller crossed-flags design. The side cove insignia was
also changed for 1961 only.

Engine and transmission options remained unchanged. 1961 would mark the last year
of the 283 small block Chevy in the Corvette, and the last year of the dual four-barrel
carb engines.

1961 Corvette Key Differences

Key differences of the 1961-62 Corvettes include the new "ducktail" rear end with
four round taillights, the finer front grill mesh, and body-colored headlight
bezels.

A 1961 Corvette can be differentiated from a 1962 by the front crossed-flags emblem
not being enclosed by a circle, the three bar side cove insignia, chrome trim around
the side cove and three chrome strakes in the cove, and the absence of a lower
rocker-panel chrome strip.

Similar Years

The 1961 and 1962 Corvettes shared the same body design. Minor badge and trim
differences distinguish the two years.

How to Identify a 1961 Corvette

Overview

C1 Corvette body style (1953-1962)

1961 Corvette Rear End

For 1961, the rear end was redesigned to be flatter (1961-1962)

Tail lights relocated from the top of the fenders to the rear of the car (1961-1962)

Exhaust pipes now exit under the car, not through the rear bumpers as before (1961-1962)

1961 Corvette Side Insignia

For 1961 only, the insignia on the cove changed to a design that incorporated three
horizontal bars

1961 Corvette Grill

Front grill changed to a finer array of horizontal and vertical bars (1961-62)

1961 Corvette Headlights

Bezel around the headlights is now body-colored instead of chrome (1961-62)

Field Guide to American Autos

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Old Cars Guide .com has illustrated make and model guides to help you identify the
most popular vintage North American automobiles. Year to year and generational
changes are outlined in easy to use picture identification guides.

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